Itai Siegel (born 1996) joined Leiden University in September 2022 as a PhD candidate in the Department of Jurisprudence. After receiving his bachelor's degree in law from Utrecht University, he completed the masters Law & Technology at Tilburg University and Encyclopedie en Filosofie van het Recht (Legal Philosophy & Jurisprudence) at Leiden University cum laude. In addition to his doctoral research, Itai teaches several courses at the Faculty of Law.

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Itai's doctoral research focuses on the influence of conspiracy theories on Dutch constitutional democracy. Conspiracy theories are, worldwide and in the Netherlands, a well-known phenomenon in (social) media and in politics. How do conspiracy theories affect the actors, processes and institutions of the Dutch democratic constitutional state? Empirical research methods are combined with normative law research to answer this question. The empirical part examines whether, and if so, in what ways the dissemination of conspiracy theories affects the functioning of Dutch democracy. Based on the theory of militant democracy, Itai then analyzes the ways in which Dutch democracy may and can respond to the spread of conspiracy theories and what (new) legal instruments might be needed to do so. For the empirical component of his research, Itai is seeking connection with, among others, the growing group of Empirical Legal Studies researchers within the faculty. In addition, the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) is involved in the research as a knowledge partner: during the project, Itai will present his findings several times to a sounding board of relevant experts from the AIVD.

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